David Cooley’s decision several weeks ago to cut the pay of the go go dancers at The Abbey by 25% has gotten pushback on social media from some of those dancers and their supporters, at least one of whom has called for a boycott of the popular gay bar and restaurant. That pushback led Cooley recently to restore the dancers’ pay to its previous level, and also to fire at least one of those who complained.
The dancers, freelancers who work roughly four hours a night, were being paid $100 a night until Cooley asked them to dance one of four sets for free, effectively reducing their pay to $75 a night. In an email to the dancers, he criticized them for not working hard enough or being in good enough shape. He also told them to stop socializing with the bar customers who traditionally tip them and pose for photos with them.
The Abbey, West Hollywood’s most heavily trafficked bar, is known for the talent of its go go dancers, who actually are screened for their skills and perform complicated acts such as flipping over elevated bars and dancing high on poles. By comparison, most other gay bars feature only men in jockstraps who shuffle their feet.
A post on Facebook by one dancer, Michael Benjamin Volkar, whose professional name is Teddy Bear, sounded the alarm over the pay cuts. That post, shared on Instagram and Twitter, has since been removed. It read, in part:
“David Cooley is one of the richest men in Los Angeles, his bar The Abbey is the most profitable bar in West Hollywood (known around the world) but that doesn’t stop his greed. Recently minimum wage was increased in Los Angeles, to counter this he thought of a (evil) genius idea to cut THE DANCERS pay by the equivalent of asking us to dance one set for FREE now!
“Oh … but it doesn’t stop there, the pay cut also came with a long message reminding every dance that they are replaceable and that they should be danc(ing) even harder and can be fired at any moment (on top of the pay cut)
“Also we are no longer allowed to talk to customers when we are on the box, so if a dancer won’t take a pic or say hi to you…don’t get mad at them, the dancers were all told we are no longer allowed to interact with customers unless on our break (though we’ve also been told not to hang out on the floor on our break too..)”
WEHOville reached out to Cooley and to his publicist, who said they had no comment on the matter.
“$25 may not sound like much to some, but to MANY of his employees that is make or break for if they get to eat this week,” Teddy Bear said in his Facebook post. “Many of the dancers a(re) struggling to survive with multiple jobs and work their asses off to give the community the best experience every single weekend. And with this pay cut and threats from David it is a low blow to the Community, it is a disgusting power trip from a rich rich RICH man.
“So if you care about the community, if you care about fair pay and honestly human decency … please join with me, and #BOYCOTTTheAbbey
“I am well aware after he gets wind of this I will be fired. But I care more about the lives of the other dancers that it’s worth standing up for what’s right.”
Volkar posted on Twitter later today that he had been fired and banned from returning to The Abbey and The Chapel, its adjacent bar.
Cooley also was subject of criticism (and also some support) when he called on LGBT people in July to boycott Alaska Airlines, a major supporter of the LGBT community, after his traveling companion on a trip from New York City to Los Angeles was asked to move from a “premium” seat to a seat in the economy section of the plane. The flight attendant apparently said that the seat already had been reserved by another couple, who were heterosexual.
This whole talk about Go-Go Boys being employees and getting paid and following rules and being whistleblowers and taking breaks and having shifts is really ruining it for me.
If you don’t like your employer, go find another employer. If you don’t like the conditions of your employment, go find another employer. Finding another employer is the quickest, expedient remedy.
You must be anti-union too
The dancers are less and less an attraction as time goes by because of increasing limitations on how they can perform. I stopped going to Mickey’s when the dancers were forced to perform almost in restraints (thanks to the straight bartenders who were “offended”), Here Lounge (before it became the Chapel) was THE place to be on a Wednesday night until straight women got their panties in a bunch, and now even FUBAR has been tamed so much that there’s no point in going (FUBAR’s Saturday night striptease is a big disappointment). I’m saving money on drinks, and a couple… Read more »
Teddy, Whistleblowers are protected by Law. Thank you for speaking up. Dancers should make at least 200.00 a night + tips.
Unfortunately, California just passed a law which effectively bans gig workers like this. Go Go’s will soon be considered employees which comes with a host of new overhead costs for employers. That $25 might mean the difference between being employed or unemployed very soon.
Scott, you may have a point there! I know other business owners who have employees who they are going to have to start changing the status of those employees, and it’s going to cost them a lot. And it doesn’t necessarily make it that much better for the employee! These are new laws coming out of Sacramento. California is the worst state for business, and much of it is senseless!
@Scott and @blueeyedboy:
Are you referencing a state law passed by the Legislature (if so, which one?) or are you possibly thinking of the recent CA Supreme Court decision that has businesses and independent contractors alike, up in arms? I believe it is the “Dynamex” decision – not something “California just passed” or “new laws coming out of Sacramento”.
Am curious to know from either of you if this is what you are referring to:
https://www.laboremploymentlawblog.com/2018/05/articles/class-actions/dynamex-decision-independent-contractors/
Josh Kurpies, I know only what my business owning friends have said. They have complained about the State imposing regulations that change the relationship with employees, or that they are now going to have to treat freelancers as employees.
I wonder if this has anything to do with what Cooley is doing with the dancers? Maybe he doesn’t have as many options as we think. I don’t understand it, but I’m not a business owner with employees. Maybe an interview with Cooley to ask him about this is in order.
A friend who owns several apartment buildings can no longer have an on-site manager in exchange for reduced rent. She has to treat those managers as employees which requires quite a few changes, none of which benefit her or those resident managers.
I find it interesting that David owns a place in Montreal where the dancers are hot and naked. (4 naked gay strip clubs in their Boystown.)
I see him there every summer and he doesn’t seem to have a problem paying those guys. VIP room dances included!
I thought there was 2 other dudes in charge of the dancers. Anthony and some other bald dude with wings on his back They don’t do a good job its craigs list for gogo’s at the Abbey. Evidently Different Hiring requirements for the Chappel lol …Remember back when it was Steven Dehler, Colby Melvin David Radcliff all the super hot ripped yummie dudes that you actually wanted to tip and watch dance and were the signature Abbey Boys. Now its just a mess guess the people from the 909 and over the hill have different taste the abbey has gone… Read more »
Cutting pay while expecting more from employees is the exact opposite of progress. In any town. In any business. In any social group. In any ethics.
Mr Culo”ey thinks that cutting people’s paycheck will santify his need to show power. He needs to remember that a click on social media can destroy that attitude or his business as quickly as his needs for undereye correction. The Homoland at San Vicente can’t funtion without the muscled characters socializing with the patrons who clearly go there to feel special (or get in credit card debt). Let’s just remind him that no matter how important he thinks he is, he is powerless to the sweet and bitter homo masses’ opinions. We will be waiting for the day the #metooLulu… Read more »
not a good year for him..
FAILED: Bravo “Abbey” reality show….
FAILED: Boycott of Alaska Airlines
FAILED: Cutting Wages of the staff
FAILED: prediction of his new restaurant Bottega Louie around the corner
Hmm he’s one of he most successful business men in Los angels both in real estate and business. Lol FAIL ! He’s given more to charity than probably 98% of you. You all sound SO Jealous it’s quite sad. But he’ll keep on donating and building 🙂
Charity begins at home.
None of those donations help the dancers whose pay he cut.
No jealousy, just facts.
Agreed…..Some are to quick to throw money at strangers or far away ideas. Why not support the people right in front of you.
Oh, David, queen puh-leeze! This is a man who has profited handsomely by creating an atmosphere which exploits substance abuse and objectifies bodies. Is $25 a head a few times a night really going to help with yet another plastic surgery? Or, will he now actually have to pay for that premium class seat rather than get a free upgrade for his “cough cough” companion? I’m of a generation that has paid many thousands of dollars in tips to the increasingly brusque barmaids. I’m no longer interested in subjecting myself to a pretentious excuse for nightlife (think bottle service…oh Mary!)… Read more »
Ouch!….I guess there’s always Mother Lode. Oh wait, how do you feel about bachelorette parties?
Thanks so much for speaking up Teddy! I am also a former dancer at the Abbey/Chapel who quit. I am extremely disappointed in this attack on the very community he makes his millions off of. Especially with the current political climate and the damage it is doing to so many communities, you would think an LGBT member with a platform such as Cooley would use it to be a part of the #resistance, but instead he is choosing to be a part of the #assistance. I read the email myself which ordered the dancers pay be cut from $100 to… Read more »